NEW JERSEY VS. PITTSBURGH COLORADO VS. ST. LOUIS

Monday, May 14 Jagr taking injections for ailing shoulder ESPN.com news services Jagr PITTSBURGH -- Penguins winger Jaromir Jagr said he's taking painkillers even though he vowed not to after the season ended last year. Jagr missed Games 2 and 3 against the Sabres with a sore shoulder. He began getting injections before the remaining games in the series. The Penguins captain said he tries not to think about the ramifications of taking painkillers. "It's stupid when you think about it," Jagr told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "But that's just it, you don't think. You just do it. There's so much at stake and so much pressure to play. It just seems like what's at stake now is more important than what might happen in the future." Jagr said he had a lot of health problems last year after the season ended because of the pain medication he was taking for a groin injury. "You take (pills), and it doesn't go directly to your injuries, but it will shut down your body. I was going to sleep, and I was kind of tired. That's the kind of effect it had," Jagr said. "But if you go directly to the injury, like a shot, I think it will be better for you. "Actually, I don't take (pills) anymore. It hurts, but at least you know if you're hurt or not. With the (pills), you don't find out until the next day if you're hurt or not. At least (with a shot) I know right after the game what happened." The Penguins play the New Jersey Devils in Game 2 of the conference finals on Tuesday. The Penguins trail the series 1-0. Brian A. Shactman, who covers the NHL for ESPN.com, contributed to this report. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories